A video released today by the family of Keith Lamont Scott (43), who was killed on September 20 in an encounter with Charlotte NC police, has added to controversy over his death. Recorded by Scott’s wife, she can be heard repeatedly telling officers that he was not armed while she pleaded with them not to shoot her husband while they continued to shout at him to drop a gun. Scott was the father of seven children.

The video did not show whether or not Scott had a firearm at the time of the incident. Police say that he was armed. They report a gun was found on the scene. However, civilians contend that he had only a book. Recorded by Scott’s wife, Rakeyia Scott, the video does not show the shooting but did record the sound of gunshots.

In the 2 ½ minute video, Rakeyia Scott told officers that he had a “TBI”: a traumatic brain injury. "Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him," she said. "He has no weapon. He has no weapon." Police on the scene continued to shout at Scott, "Drop the gun! Drop the f---ing gun!"

Rakeyia Scott yells back at police, insisting her husband is harmless and "has no weapon." "He doesn't have a gun," she says. "He has a T.B.I. [traumatic brain injury]. He's not going to do anything to you guys. He just took his medicine." An officer shouted, "Let me get a f---ing baton over here."

Rakeyia Scott then yells to her husband anxiously, "Keith, don't let them break the windows. Come out the car!"

In the video, she calls out to her husband to exit the car. When police shouted, “Drop the gun!” she repeatedly cried out “Keith, don’t you do it!” but it is not clear what she meant. As the situation grew tense, she called out to police, “You better not shoot him!"

After several gunshots were fired, Rakeyia Scott can be heard screaming “Did you shoot him? He better not be ******* dead!” Soon, Scott can be seen lying face-down on the ground while his wife says "he better live." She asked in the video if an ambulance has been called while she continues to record. She continues recording and asks if an ambulance has been called. The officers stand over Scott, apparently checking for weapons or administering aid.

Spero News writer Martin Barillas is a former US diplomat, who also worked as a democracy advocate and election observer in Latin America. His first novel 'Shaken Earth', is available at Amazon.